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Device management in a communication systemRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Processing Systems: Multicomputer Data Transferring, Computer Network ManagingDevice management in a communication system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060224712, Device management in a communication system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to communication systems, and more specifically to delivering device management information in a communication system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as one or more communication devices and/or other nodes associated with the communication system. A communication system typically operates in accordance with a given standard or specification setting out what the various entities associated with the communication system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. A standard or specification may define a specific set of rules, such as communication protocols and/or parameters, on which connections between the entities can be based. [0003] Wireless communication systems include various cellular or otherwise mobile communication systems using radio frequencies for sending voice or data between stations, for example between a communication device, also called a terminal, and a transceiver network element. Examples of wireless communication systems may comprise public land mobile network (PLMN), such as global system for mobile communication (GSM), the general packet radio service (GPRS) and the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS). Further examples of wireless communication systems may comprise wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless packet switched data networks, such as a wireless Internet Protocol (IP) network and so on. [0004] Subscribers, such as the users or end-users, to a communication system may be offered and provided numerous services, such as calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a network. Servers may be used in provision of the services and may be operated by an operator of a network or by an external service provider. Information servers may operate in accordance with IP protocols or other packet data protocols. A transmission protocol provides transport for application layer protocols, such as a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). Examples of transport protocols suitable to run on top of IP may comprise a transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) and stream control transmission protocol (SCTP). [0005] A mobile terminal may be connected to a private network, for example to an intranet of a company. To be able to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection to the private network, the terminal may be provided with appropriate software, such as a VPN client. The VPN client may establish a VPN tunnel, that is, a secure TCP/IP connection, to the private network using credentials, such as a password and an identifier (ID) of a user of the terminal, or other authentication and authorization means. Typically, in an enterprise environment, it is mandatory to use the VPN client for establishing a TCP/IP connection to the intranet. The VPN tunnel provides an access to information available in the private network. [0006] It may be desired to provide also device management (DM) information from the private network. In open mobile alliance device management (OMA DM) technology, DM information may be transmitted to a terminal using a TCP/IP connection. When DM information is deliverable, a DM server typically sends a DM session initiation request or a bootstrap message, for example a short message service (SMS) message, to the terminal. Once the client in the terminal receives the DM session initiation request, the client establishes a connection to the DM server. The client may establish the connection for DM session automatically. In an alternative, the client may ask for acceptance of the DM session from a user of the terminal. [0007] DM session might also be established through a dedicated VPN tunnel. The dedicated VPN tunnel for the DM session may be established in addition to the VPN providing access to the private network, for example, by entering the username and the password again. [0008] However, it might be desired to be able to obtain DM information without a need to establish a separate VPN tunnel for the DM session. [0009] It shall be appreciated that these issues are not limited to any particular communication environment, but may occur in any appropriate communication system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for delivering device management information in a communication system. The method comprises discovering an active secure connection for data communication between a communication device and a private network. The method also comprises performing at least one device management task for the communication device using said active secure connection. [0011] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product. Said computer program product is configured to control a computing means to perform the step of discovering an active secure connection for data communication between a communication device and a private network. Said computer program product is also configured to control a computing means to perform the step of performing at least one device management task for the communication device using said secure connection. [0012] In an embodiment, the active secure connection may comprise an active virtual private network tunnel. Said at least one device management task may be performed via a terminating end server of the virtual private network tunnel from a device management entity located in the private network. [0013] In an embodiment, an indication about the active secure connection may be received. Said at least one device management task may be performed when there is at least one device management task to perform and the indication about active secure connection has been received. [0014] In an embodiment, a device management session initiation request may be sent from a device management entity to the communication device when the active secure connection is discovered and when there is at least one device management task to perform. The device management session initiation request may be sent through said active secure connection. Said at least one device management task may be performed in a device management session via the active secure connection, wherein the device management session is initiated by the communication device in response to the device management session initiation request. [0015] In an embodiment, a device management session initiation request may be sent from a device management entity to the communication device when there is at least one device management task to perform. Discovering the active secure connection may comprise becoming a party of a device management session initiated by the communication device via the active secure connection, wherein the communication device initiates said device management session, when the communication device has received the device management session initiation request and the active secure connection becomes available. [0016] In an embodiment, performing said at least one device management comprises at least one of configuring parameters, reading parameter keys and values, setting parameter keys and values, installing software elements, upgrading software elements and uninstalling software elements. [0017] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a device management entity for a communication system. The device management entity is configured to perform at least one device management task fro a communication device using an active secure connection established for data communication between the communication device and a private network. [0018] In an embodiment, the device management entity may be further configured to perform the at least one device management task via a terminating end server of an active virtual private network tunnel in the private network. In an embodiment, the device management entity may be further configured to send a device management session initiation request to the communication device. The device management entity may be configured to send the device management session initiation request to the communication device when the active secure connection is discovered. The device management entity may be configured to send a device management session initiation request to the communication device when there is at least one device management task to perform. The device management entity may be configured to sent the management session initiation request through said active secure connection. [0019] In an embodiment, the device management entity may further be configured to receive an indication about the active secure connection. The device management entity may be configured to perform said at least one device management task when there is at least one device management task to perform and the indication about active secure connection has been received. [0020] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a virtual private network entity for a communication system. The virtual private network entity is configured to establish an active secure connection for data communication between a communication device and a private network. The virtual private network entity is also configured to act as a intermediary for enabling performing at least one device management task for the communication device via the active secure connection. [0021] In an embodiment, the active secure connection comprises a virtual private network tunnel. In an embodiment, the virtual private network entity may be further configured to notify the device management entity about the active secure connection. 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